Final two BOC budget hearings Wednesday, Sept. 19

The Barrow County Board of Commissioners has scheduled two public hearings about the county government’s proposed budget and tax hike for FY2013, which begins Oct. 1. Both public hearings are Wednesday, Sept. 19, in the BOC’s meeting room on the second floor of the government’s administration building, 233 E. Broad St., Winder. The first hearing is scheduled for noon and the third and final hearing is at 6 p.m.
Copies of the proposed budget are available for public review at local libraries and at the Finance Department on the second floor of the administration building.
The millage rate for most of the county is to rise from the current 10.993 mills to 13.509 mills. In Winder, where the county tax rate is rolled back to account for an additional municipal fire tax, the rate is to rise to 10.957 mills.
Lower property assessments this year are expected to absorb most of the impact of the tax rate hikes. But the budget does include a 1-mill rate hike for provide about $1.4 million in FY2013 for the purchase of patrol cars, fire equipment and other equipment. The 1-mill rate hike is expected to increase this fall’s actual tax bills by about 9 percent. A single mill represents 9.1 percent of the county’s current tax rate of 10.993 mills. It is 11.48 percent of Winder’s current 8.078 millage rate.